I don't know if you can say "Happy" Yom Kippur but I would like to extend an acknowledgement to all who celebrate this lovely holiday and tradition. I was speaking to one of my best friends who told me it's about atonement and how Yom Kippur comes after the Jewish New Year. It sounds to me the perfect time to reflect on one's life and way forward just after celebrating a new year. Starting fresh and reflecting on your life I think is hugely important for anyone of any faith. So for all of you recognising Yom Kippur whether it is your faith or not I wish you al…

"Looks like we're gonna have another big crowd" Grandma would say. My grandma used to have a really big picnic every year in September. We have a crazy number of family members born in September and so we would all gather under the big tree for a wonderful feast. She made the most amazing variety of food and it was delicious. Fried chicken was always a favourite as well as the deviled eggs and ambrosia salad! Yes real American cooking all way! We played games under the tree to win prizes- and everyone loved the numbers game. You pick a number out of the hat and if it's …

My eyes want to close but I have to keep them open. Another eye knackering day at my desk has means I take little breaks looking into the horizon so my eyes get a rest. I try not to let my mind wander as I take these breaks. Keeping focused on nothing or emptiness is my aim so I have an eye and mind refresher for a few seconds. The mind and eye duo is strong in me though - and as my mind wanders it brings up some wonderful visualisations. Being creative is the most interesting part of what I do in life - I don't know if that's for everyone but it certainly is the most exciting th…

Next week, along with every other tinker and tailor, I'll be heading up to the land of fried food and rain. Did you know that Scotland is the only country where the supermarkets have an entire aisle dedicated to batter? You can't even buy a cheap joke.
I've been scouring the Fringe programme, a bible of high expectations, leveraged on granny's car and silver spoon collection. Producers, performers and directors have spent months bracing their fingers for the refreshing strain of scotsman.com/reviews. This is boot camp for the liver…

There is an age old superstition in the theatre concerning the utterance of the name 'Macbeth'. Those who adhere to the superstition uphold that the only time one is allowed to say 'Macbeth' in a theatre (and by this one means the actual auditorium and stage - the foyer, as far as I'm aware is permitted) is when, as an actor, you are speaking the character's name in the play itself. The play is therefore not referred to by its title but as "the Scottish…